Paris Air Show Preview: A More uer-Friendly Show

Paris show organizer SIAE has responded to industry calls to downsize the event to make it more cost-effective for exhibitors, who have long struggled to justify the expense of taking their products and personnel on the international airshow circuit. Organizers have reduced the duration of the Paris show from nine to seven days by scrapping the traditional opening weekend.

This year’s show will run from Monday, June 13 through Sunday, June 19; the first four days are reserved for professional visitors, while Friday and the weekend are set aside for the public. There will be no formally designated media day.

SIAE has also sought to make its team more responsive to exhibitor and visitor concerns and is offering special travel and hotel packages. Inside the show site, envisioned improvements include a new Hall 5, to replace the previous temporary building. Organizers have created more space by shifting VIP events to a bigger chalet operated by French industry group GIFAS. Other improvements will include refurbished buildings, improved vehicle access within the site and a new entrance for vehicles.

Francois Roudier, formerly Messier-Dowty’s head of public relations, will lead the new customer relations team. He is tasked with making the Paris Air Show more user-friendly and responsive to its clients.

Any effort to contain the cost of doing business at the Paris show will be especially welcome to U.S. participants, whose budgets are straining under the burden of a weak dollar against the euro.